Apparatus for releasably holding a socket

ABSTRACT

A socket organizer for releasably and adjustably holding socket holders is provided. The organizer has a longitudinally extending rail assembly characterized by a generally U-shaped channel. A plurality of socket holders are positioned in and slidingly engage the channel. Each socket holder has a detent assembly for releasably locking a socket. A plurality of clip members are attached to the rail assembly or to mounting posts. The clip members have socket identification indicia and are positioned over the mounting posts by way of an aperture. A positioning mechanism is provided for selectively positioning individual socket holders in the channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation application claiming priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/499,783, filed Sep. 30, 2019, which is aNational Stage application claiming priority to PCT InternationalApplication No. PCT/US17/025625 filed Mar. 31, 2017.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to releasable hand tool holders and moreparticularly to an apparatus for securely and releasably holding socketswhich can be readily positioned on and removed from the tool holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionwhich is to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich like reference numerals indicate like parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an orthogonal partially exploded view of an exemplaryapparatus for releasably holding and organizing a set of sockets.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the exemplary apparatus of FIG. 1 with the endcap removed.

FIG. 3 is an end cross-sectional view of the exemplary apparatus of FIG.1 taken laterally through the apparatus at a socket holder assembly.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of a socket holder assembly according to anaspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the end cap inplace.

FIG. 6 is an orthogonal view of the exemplary apparatus of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is an end view, with the end cap removed, of an exemplaryapparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure having a positioningmechanism for socket holder assemblies.

FIG. 8 is an end cross-sectional view of the exemplary apparatus of FIG.7 taken laterally through the apparatus at a socket holder assembly.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the exemplary apparatusof FIG. 7 .

FIGS. 10A-D are bottom plan views of various embodiments of socketholder assemblies for use in the apparatus of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 11 is an orthogonal and exploded view of a positioning assembly andsocket holder assemblies of the exemplary apparatus of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 12 is a top orthogonal view of an exemplary clip member and tabbedmounting post according to an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is an orthogonal view of an exemplary modular socketorganization system according to an aspect of the disclosure, with endcap removed.

FIGS. 14A-B are elevational plan views of alternate embodiments ofsocket holder assemblies and rail assemblies according to aspects of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Socket tools, or simply sockets, are universally used by professionaland amateur mechanics and maintenance technicians and come in sets ofvarious size and style. Storing and organizing sockets is a challengedue to their various sizes, shape, and typical numbers in a set. U.S.Pat. No. 6,991,105 to Winnard, issued Jan. 31, 2006, provides furtherdisclosure regarding devices designed to organize and store sockets andis incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Commercially available socket holder apparatus typically provide aseries of individual socket holders in a straight line configurationalong a central rail or tool body. The sockets are attached and releasedby hand, such as by push-on, pull-off action or by half-turns and thelike, from a holding post or similar. The sockets held on the socketholders are in close proximity to one another and adjacent sockets can“rattle” or impact one another, especially during transport of theapparatus in a vehicle. Repeated contact eventually results in damage toadjacent sockets such as flaking chrome or coating, scratches and dentsand the like.

Some socket holders are mounted to move along a rail or tool bodywithout any way to secure the socket holders to specific locations. Forlarger socket sizes, adjacent sockets bang into one another every timethe rail or body is tilted sufficiently to cause the holders to slideand when the rail is rotated to or through a generally verticalorientation. Even on an apparatus having a way to secure the socketholders into selected positions, the holders sometimes come loose byaccident, vibration, part failure, or wear, resulting in unwanted anddamaging rattling or sliding of adjacent sockets into one another.Secure and spaced positioning of adjacent socket holders on a toolholding apparatus to prevent contact between adjacent sockets is needed.

While the sockets are typically marked with identifying information,often by stamping of the exterior surface of the socket cylinder, it canbe difficult to read the information, especially where the sockets arepositioned in a line where the information can be obscured by adjacentsockets.

Rail System with Socket Holder Assemblies and Clip Members

FIGS. 1-6 are generally discussed together to provide an understandingof the operation of the apparatus. FIG. 1 is an orthogonal partiallyexploded view of an exemplary apparatus for releasably holding andorganizing a set of sockets. FIG. 2 is an end view of the exemplaryapparatus of FIG. 1 with the end cap removed. FIG. 3 is an endcross-sectional view of the exemplary apparatus of FIG. 1 takenlaterally through the apparatus at a socket holder. FIG. 4 is a bottomplan view of a socket holder assembly according to an aspect of thedisclosure. FIG. 5 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with theend cap in place. FIG. 6 is an orthogonal view of the exemplaryapparatus of FIG. 1 . The disclosed exemplary embodiments arespecifically designed for holding sockets, however, the disclosedapparatus and methods herein enable a person of ordinary skill in theart to modify the disclosures slightly to hold other tools.

An apparatus 10 for releasably holding and organizing a plurality oftools, particularly sockets 5, is depicted. The apparatus 10 includes arail assembly 12 having a main body 14, end caps 40, a back plate 50,and a magnetic backing plate 54. Also seen in the Figures are aplurality of socket holder assemblies 60 and a plurality of clip members120.

The rail assembly 12 has an elongated body 14 with a cross-sectioncharacterized by a generally U-shaped channel having a bottom wall 16,opposing side walls 18, and flanges 20 which, together, define aninterior channel 22. The rail assembly body 14 is shaped to cooperatewith and connect to other apparatus parts, can be monolithic or ofassembled parts, and can be made of various materials.

The end caps 40 include a main body 42 and a plug 44 extending therefromand having a cross-section to slidingly engage the interior channel 22.The end cap 40 can be secured to the rail assembly body by friction fit,fasteners, such as screws, rivets, welds, bolts, and the like,adhesives, or as otherwise known in the art. Preferably the end caps arereleasably attached to the body allowing selective access to one or bothopposed open ends 24 of the interior channel 22. The end caps can bemade of any suitable material although plastic or rubber may bepreferred to provide a secure friction fit.

The back plate 50 is attached to the rail assembly body 14, by frictionfit, fastener, or as otherwise known in the art. In the illustratedembodiment, the back plate 50 slidingly engages a back plate assembly28. The back plate assembly 28 is, in the shown embodiment, defined bythe rail assembly body 14 and has a generally U-shaped cross-sectionwith a top wall 30, opposed side walls 32, and extending flanges 34together defining an interior channel 36. The side walls and flangesengage perimeter portions of the back plate 50, holding it in position.Also shown is a magnetic plate 54 which can comprise the back plate, beattached to the rail assembly body directly or, as here, attached to theback plate 50 such as by adhesive, fasteners, etc. A magnetic plate 54allows the assembly to be securely positioned on any suitable ferroussurface. Alternately, a non-scratch or non-skid plate, made of or coatedwith plastic or rubber for example, can be attached to the back plate,magnetic plate, or to the rail assembly body.

Socket Holder Assemblies

Generally seen in FIGS. 1-3 are exemplary socket holder assemblies 60.FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a socket holder assembly 60 having abase member 62 and a mounting member 64. An assembled socket holder isalso seen in FIG. 1 , positioned on the rail assembly with the basemember 62 engaging the interior channel 22 and the mounting member 64extending upwardly out of the interior channel. The mounting member 64also extends through an aperture 128 defined in the clip member 120 asaddressed below.

In an exemplary embodiment of a socket holder assembly 60 seen in FIG. 2, a base member 62 engages the interior channel 22 and a mounting member64 extends upwardly out of the interior channel 22. The base member 62is of a size and cross-section to slidingly engage the rail assemblybody 14 along the interior channel 22. The bottom wall 16 and flanges 20of the body 14 maintain the base member 62 in the interior channel 22.The bottom wall 16 may include friction (or anti-friction) features 17to reduce (or increase) the force required to slide the socket holderassemblies along the rail assembly. For example, such features mayinclude longitudinally extending ridges, a high-friction or low-frictionlongitudinal insert, layer, or coating, etc., as is known in the art.The features 17 can be of metal, plastic, rubber or other material andcan be of a piece with the bottom wall or mounted thereon.

The mounting member 64 of the socket holder assembly 60 defines amounting post 74, a detent assembly 76, and a columnar shoulder 78 inthe embodiments at FIGS. 1-6 . The mounting post 74 is generally squareto accept the drive end of a typical socket. The mounting member 64includes a detent assembly 76 for interacting with a correspondingdetent 7 defined in the interior wall of the socket 5. A typical detentassembly 76 includes a detent ball 80 and a biasing mechanism 82 forpermanently or selectively biasing the detent ball radially outward andinto engagement with the corresponding detent defined in the socket.Biasing mechanisms 82 are known in the art and can include a coil springmounted in an interior space of the mounting post 74, a leaf springdefined by or mounted on the mounting post 74, or an elastic andresilient detent “ball” defined by or mounted on the exterior of themounting post 74. Alternately, the biasing mechanism can be actuated bya user, such as by causing relative movement of socket holder assemblypieces.

In the embodiment shown, and as best seen in FIG. 3 , the detentassembly 76 is rotatably actuated by a user. The base member 62 and themounting member 64 are rotatably attached. In the embodiment shown, themounting member 64 includes a rotary disk 102 which rotatingly engages acorresponding support surface 104 defined on the base member 62. Therotary disk 102 can be held in engagement with the base member 62 byflanges 106 defined on the base member 62, for example.

The mounting member 64 defines an interior space 86 extending into themounting post 74. The mounting post 74 defines a detent ball aperture 84of smaller diameter than the detent ball 80 such that the ball 80 canextend partially through the aperture but cannot exit the interior spaceentirely. The detent ball 80 is trapped in the interior space 86 betweenthe mounting post 74 and a locking pin 88 defined on the base member 62and which extends through the interior space 86.

The upper end of the locking pin 88 defines a cam surface 90 whichengages and moves the detent ball 80 radially between an unlockedposition 92, seen in FIG. 3 for example, in which a socket is held inplace by the detent ball, and a locked position 94, seen in FIG. 2 forexample, in which the socket is released from the socket holder.

In use, a socket drive end is placed over the mounting post 74 and thesocket and mounting member 64 are rotated with respect to the basemember 62 and locking pin 88. In the unlocked position, the detent ballis positioned radially inwardly, as in FIG. 3 , and does not engage thedetent 7 defined in the interior surface of the socket 5. In the lockedposition 94, as seen in FIG. 2 , the detent ball 80 is forced radiallyoutward and partially through the aperture 84 by relative motion of thecam surface 90 and into locking engagement with the detent 7 of thesocket 5.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3-4 , the socket holder assembly 60 can furtherinclude one or more locking tabs 96 extending downwardly from themounting member 64. The locking tab 96 extends through and slidinglyengages a cooperating arcuate slot 98 defined in the base member 62.Recesses 100 can also be defined at the ends of the arcuate slot 98 tohold the socket holder assembly in the selected locked or unlockedposition until the user actuates the assembly and to provide the user atactile response indicating achievement of a selected position as thetab snaps into the recess. In the embodiment shown, rotation of themounting member 64 (and locking pin 88 and tab 96) by a one-half turnmoves the detent assembly between the locked position 94 and unlockedposition 92 and the locking tab 96 between opposing ends of the arcuateslot 98.

The socket holder assemblies 60 can be of various design withoutdeparting from the spirit of the disclosure as will be understood bythose of skill in the art. In some embodiments, the base member andmounting member are monolithic, such as where a resilient orcantilevered detent “ball” is defined on the mounting post 74 of themounting member 64. In other embodiments, the base 62 and mountingmembers 64 are fixedly attached or not relatively movable, such as wherethe detent assembly is of the “push-on” variety and comprises aspring-biased detent ball. In yet other embodiments, the base 62 andmounting members 64 are rotatably attached, such as where the detentassembly is actuated by rotation of the mounting post 74 with respect tothe locking pin 88, as seen herein, for example.

Clip Members

Exemplary clip members 120 cooperate with the rail assembly 12 and asocket holder assembly 60. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6 , theclip member 120 comprises a central plate 122 defining a generallyplanar upper surface 124 with socket identification indicia 126 thereon.An aperture 128 is defined through the central plate 122 for cooperationwith the mounting member 64, and more specifically the columnar shoulder78 which fits closely through the aperture 128. In an embodiment, thecolumnar shoulder upper surface is flush with the upper surface 124 ofthe central plate 122.

Each clip member 120 slidingly and grippingly engages grooves 46 definedin the side walls 18 of the rail assembly body 14. The clip member 120has a central plate 122, opposing legs 130, and flanges 132. The centralplate 122, in the illustrated embodiment, rests on the rail assemblyflanges 20. The grooves 46 are grippingly engaged by the flanges 132 andthe clip member is maintained on the rail assembly. In an embodiment,the legs 130 of the clip members are flexible and the clip member is“snapped” into an engaged position by pressing the clip member downwardonto the rail assembly, flexing the legs 130 outwardly until the clipmember 120 snaps around the body 14.

Alternately, the clip members 120 can be slidingly engaged onto andremoved from the rail assembly body 14 at the ends of the rail assembly12, either over an open end 24 of the interior channel 22 or over an endcap 40. In an embodiment, at least one end cap 40 defines across-section which cooperates with the clip member 120, allowing theclip member 120 to readily slide over the end cap 40 and onto the railassembly side walls 18 at grooves 46. The end cap 40 can optionallydefine grooves (not shown) aligned with grooves 46. In anotherembodiment, at least one end cap 40 is removable from the rail assemblybody 14, such as by pulling the end cap 40 to overcome a friction fitbetween the end cap plug 44 and the channel walls 18, allowing the clipmember 120 to be slid over an open end 24 of the channel 22 and onto therail assembly body 14.

In an embodiment, the clip members are constrained against rotationalmovement in relation to the rail assembly. The clip member isconstrained against rotational movement in relation to the rail assemblyby interference between opposing legs of the clip member and at least aside wall of the rail assembly.

In some embodiments, as seen, the clip member 120 further includes anangled plate 134 corresponding to the angled wall 26 of the railassembly body 14. The angled plate 134 extends from the central plate122 at a relative angle of between 10 and 80 degrees and defines anangled surface 136 for indicia 138.

In use, the rail assembly is often transferred from one surface andorientation to another depending on the job. The assembly can beselectively mounted by the magnetic backing, for example, on ahorizontal, vertical or other surface, and above, at, or below eyelevel. Regardless of mounting orientation or height relative to theuser, the indicia 138 on the angled surface 136, indicia 126 on thecentral plate 122, and/or indicia 118 on a vertical surface 116 of a leg130 should be visible to the user.

The indicia provides socket identification information, for example,socket size in metric or standard units, and/or socket type, and/orindications for locking and unlocking the socket from the socket holder.The indicia 118, 126, and 138 on any given clip member can be identicalor different.

Further, as with the base member 62 and channel 22, the cooperatingangled plate 134 and angled wall 26 of the rail body 14 can act as anorientation guide for orientation of the clip member on the railassembly. In another embodiment, an angled plate can be provided on bothlateral sides of the clip member.

Adjacent clip members 120 or adjacent socket holder assemblies 60 can,as seen in FIGS. 9 and 11 , abut one another defining a minimum spacingbetween adjacent, mounted sockets of the same or similar diameter.Socket sets typically have multiple sockets of small diameter and theclip members 120 each have a length, L, of greater than the socketdiameter to maintain spacing between adjacent mounted sockets. However,many socket sets include multiple sockets of relatively larger diametersdue to the larger size of fastener for which the sockets are employed.Where larger diameter sockets are mounted on adjacent socket holderassemblies, the disclosure provides a mechanism to maintain sufficientspacing to prevent the larger sockets from knocking together duringtransport and reorientation of the rail assembly.

In FIG. 6 , each clip member 120 has a longitudinal length, L, ofgreater than the diameter of the socket for which it is used. Varioussmaller diameter sockets can be placed on a clip member having a typicallength. In an embodiment, a typical clip member 120 has a length, L,equal to the length of a side 70 of its corresponding base member 62, asseen in FIGS. 1 and 9 . However, some larger sockets will have diametersexceeding the length of a socket holder base member 62. In such a case,a clip member 120 a has a length greater than the diameter of the largersocket and greater than the length of its corresponding base member 62.The larger clip member 120 a abuts adjacent clip members 120 andmaintains a minimum spacing on either side of the larger diametersocket.

As an example, a typical small socket base diameter is 15/32 inches(approximately one-half inch), which size may be used for a number ofsockets for differently sized fasteners. For such sockets, the clipmembers 120 can have a length of approximately three-quarters inches. Alarger diameter socket may have a diameter of one and one-half inches orgreater. As an example, a two and one-half inch diameter socket can usea three inch long clip member. For such sockets, clip members 120 areprovided having lengths greater than the diameter of the designatedsocket.

Orientation Guides

As seen in FIGS. 2-3 , the rail assembly further includes an exemplaryorientation guide 110 for orienting the socket holder assemblies 60 inthe interior channel 22. The orientation guide 110 requires a basemember 62, and therefore socket holder assembly 60, to be inserted intothe interior channel 22 at specified orientations. Thus, a set of socketholder assemblies would necessarily “face the same way” in the channel.One possible orientation guide is shown.

The base member defines a bottom surface 66, a top surface 68, and fourside surfaces 70 which together define a base member 62 having a shapegenerally similar to that defined by the bottom wall 16, side walls 18,and flanges 20 of the channel 22. The rail assembly body 14 furtherdefines an angled wall 26 between one of the flanges 20 and a side wall18. The angled wall 26 is oriented at an angle between 10 and 80 degreeswith respect to both the adjacent flange 20 and side wall 18. Similarly,the base member 62 defines a corresponding beveled surface 72. On theopposite side of the channel 22, the opposed flange 20 and side wall 18define a different angle of intersection, such as the right-angledintersection shown. The base member 62 then defines a correspondingright-angled intersection at the adjacent side 70 and top 68. Thecorresponding shapes provide an orientation guide wherein the socketholder assemblies cannot be inserted into the channel except atcoordinating orientations.

Stated another way, the channel of the rail assembly comprises anorientation mechanism which cooperates with a corresponding alignmentfeature defined on each socket holder, the alignment mechanismpreventing insertion of the socket holder into the channel of the railassembly unless the alignment feature and the alignment mechanism arecooperatively aligned. The alignment mechanism comprises a shapedsurface on a wall of the rail assembly and the aligning featurecomprises a cooperating shaped surface on the base.

FIGS. 1-3 and 5 present another embodiment of an orientation guide 111employing the clip members 120 and the rail assembly 12. Features maybest be seen at FIGS. 2-3 . The clip member 120 has opposing legs 130positioned on opposing sides of the rail assembly body 14. However, theend of leg 130 a is at a lower height than the end of the leg 130 b.Where the clip member 120 employs two mirror image legs 130 (e.g.,having no angled plate 134), one leg 130 a is longer than the other leg130 b. Where the clip member has a single angled plate 134, as shown,the leg 130 b is longer vertically than the vertical extent of theangled plate 134 and leg 130 a combined. Corresponding to the differingheights of the ends of the legs 130 a-b, the grooves 46 a-b on the sidewalls 18 of the body 14 are at differing and corresponding heights. Suchan arrangement requires a selected orientation of a clip member 120 toengage the grooves 46. A set of clip members will all then “face thesame direction.” The orientation guides can be used alone, incombination, or not at all in various embodiments.

Stated another way, the rail assembly body comprises an orientationmechanism which cooperates with a corresponding alignment featuredefined on each clip member, the alignment mechanism preventingattachment of the clip member onto the rail assembly unless thealignment feature and the alignment mechanism are cooperatively aligned.The alignment mechanism comprises two grooves, one groove defined alongeach side wall of the channel, the two grooves at different relativeheights (e.g., different heights above the bottom wall of the channel),and the aligning feature comprises two opposed legs of a clip member,each leg having an end extending to engage one of the two grooves. Theflanges of the clip members at the ends of the legs engage the grooves.

Rail System with Socket Holder Positioning Mechanism

FIGS. 7-11 are generally discussed together to provide an understandingof the operation of the apparatus. Many of the specific features andfunctions of the exemplary apparatus of FIGS. 8-12 are identical orsimilar to those found in the exemplary embodiment discussed at FIGS.1-8 . Consequently, the following discussion is limited to distinctionsand differences, with like part numbers used for like or similar parts.FIG. 7 is an end view, with the end cap removed, of an exemplaryapparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure having a positioningmechanism for socket holder assemblies. FIG. 8 is an end cross-sectionalview of the exemplary apparatus of FIG. 7 taken laterally through theapparatus at a socket holder. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectionalview of the exemplary apparatus of FIG. 7 . FIGS. 10A-D are bottom planviews of various embodiments of socket holder assemblies for use in theapparatus of FIG. 7 . FIG. 11 is an orthogonal and exploded view of apositioning assembly and socket holder assemblies of the exemplaryapparatus of FIG. 7 .

Seen in FIG. 7 is a socket holder positioning mechanism 140 including apositioning member 142 along the channel and cooperating tabs 144defined on the socket holder assembly 60. The rail assembly haselongated body 14 characterized by a channel having a bottom wall 16,opposing side walls 18, and flanges 20 which define an interior channel22. The interior channel 22 further defines a pair of longitudinallyextending and opposed shoulders 23. The longitudinal shoulders 23 engagethe bottom 66 of the socket holder assembly base member 62 and supportthe socket holder assembly 60 spaced above the bottom wall 16. Thus alongitudinal space 158 is defined between the bottom surfaces 66 of thesocket holder assemblies 60 and the bottom wall 16 of the channel 22.

Further defined by the body 14 and positioned extending longitudinallyalong the bottom wall 16, is a socket holder positioning member 142. Inthe embodiment shown, the positioning member 142 is a longitudinal strip152 which slidingly engages a sub-channel 146 having a bottom wall 148and opposed side walls 150. The side walls 150 are angled toward oneanother to maintain the positioning member 142 in place in thesub-channel 146 in the embodiment shown. The sub-channel can take othercross-sectional shapes, having orthogonal side walls, flanges forengaging a positioning member, etc. Further, the positioning member 142can be adhered, fastened or otherwise attached to the rail assembly,along a sub-channel 146, the interior channel 22, or another surfacesuitable to the purpose. The positioning member 142 can be of metal,plastic, rubber or other material. Further, the positioning member 142can be comprised of alternating ridges and slots defined by or mountedon the bottom wall 16 of the body 14.

The positioning member 142 in the embodiment shown comprises alongitudinal strip 152 and a plurality of laterally extending,longitudinally spaced-apart ridges 154, as best seen at FIGS. 9 and 11 .The ridges 154 extend vertically above the bottom wall 16 of theinterior channel 22 and into the interior channel 22 and into the space158. The ridges may take various shape.

In FIGS. 7-12 , each socket holder assembly 60 defines at least onecooperating positioning tab 144 extending below the bottom surface 66 ofthe base member 62 of the assembly. The positioning tabs 144 selectivelyengage the ridges 154. The positioning tabs 144 are defined on themounting member 64 of the socket holder assembly 60 and extend throughone or more cooperating arcuate slots 156 defined through the basemember 62. Rotation of the mounting member 64 with respect to the basemember 62 results in movement of the positioning tabs 144 along the slot156.

In an embodiment, seen at FIGS. 8 and 10A, a single positioning tab 144extends from the mounting member 64 through a cooperating arcuate slot156 in the base member 62 and into the longitudinal space 158 definedbetween the bottom 66 of the base member 62 and the bottom wall 16 ofthe interior channel 22. The positioning tab 144 vertically overlapswith the ridges 154 as both extend, from opposite sides, into the space158.

The mounting member 64 and positioning tab 144 rotate between an engagedposition 162, wherein engagement of a positioning tab 144 and a ridge154 prevents longitudinal movement of the socket holder 60 along therail assembly, and an unengaged position 164, wherein the socket holder60 is free to slide longitudinally along the rail assembly. FIGS. 10Aand 11 show a positioning tab 144 in an engaged position 162 betweenadjacent ridges 154 in solid lines. Attempted sliding movement of thesocket holder assembly 60 is prevented by contact between thepositioning tab 144 and a ridge 154. FIGS. 7-8 and 10A, in dashed lines,show a positioning tab 144 in an unengaged position 164.

FIGS. 10A-D are bottom plan views of exemplary base members for a socketholder assembly according to various aspects of the disclosure showingother arrangements for locking and positioning tabs.

FIG. 10A shows a positioning tab 144 in an engaged position 162 (solidlines) and in the unengaged position 164 (dashed lines). The relativelocation of selected ridges 154 (dashed lines) are provided to indicatecooperation between the tab and ridge elements of the positioningmechanism. The tab 144 extends through the arcuate slot 156 which candefine recesses 160 for holding the positioning tab 144 in a selectedposition until moved by the user. In one embodiment, the positioning tab144 is rotated between engaged and unengaged positions by one-quarterturn of the mounting member 64.

In the embodiment at FIG. 10A, the positioning tab 144 can also serve asa locking tab 96. That is, the positioning tab 144 is moved from anunengaged position to an engaged position with respect to the ridges 154while simultaneously the mounting member 64 is moved from a lockedposition 94, wherein the detent ball 80 is moved radially outward andholds a socket on the mounting post 74, to an unlocked position 92,wherein the detent ball 80 is radially released inward.

Alternatively, and as seen in FIG. 10B, the locking tab 96 moves betweenlocked 94 and unlocked 92 positions as a positioning tab 144 movesbetween engaged 162 and unengaged 164 positions. Hence, the socketholder assembly is free to slide along the rail assembly when it is notholding a socket and is securely positioned on the rail assembly whenthe mounting member is in the locked position (whether a socket islocked to the mounting post 74 or the mounting post 74 is not engaged bya socket). In the embodiment shown, a quarter-turn of the mountingmember moves the socket holder assembly between locked and unlockedpositions and between engaged and unengaged positions.

As another alternative, in FIG. 10C the locking tab 96 and thepositioning tab 144 each move between three corresponding positions. Thelocking tab 96 rotates from a locked position 94, to an intermediate andlocked position 93, to an unlocked position 92. Simultaneously and dueto the same rotation of the mounting member 64, the positioning tab 144moves from an engaged position 162, to an intermediate and unengagedposition 163, to an unengaged position 164. Hence the socket holderassembly 60 can be held in a selected position on the rail assembly byengagement of the positioning tab 144 with the ridges 154 in the engagedposition 162 while the socket holder assembly 60 is in the lockedposition 94 (with or without a socket engaging the mounting post 74).

Rotation of the mounting member 64 to place the locking tab 96 in theintermediate and locked position 93 also places the positioning tab 144in the corresponding intermediate and unengaged position 163, allowingsliding movement of the socket holder assembly 60 along the railassembly while a socket is locked on the mounting post 74. Furtherrotation in the same direction of the mounting member 64 moves thelocking tab 96 to the unlocked position 92 and simultaneous movement ofthe positioning tab 144 to the unengaged position 164, allowing slidingmovement of the socket holder assembly with the socket holder assemblyin the unlocked position. In an embodiment, rotation between adjacentpositions requires a one-eighth turn of the mounting member with respectto the base member 62, while rotation between the extreme positionsrequires a one-quarter turn. Stated another way, a one-eighth turn movesthe socket holder assembly between engaged and unengaged positions,while a one-quarter turn locks or unlocks a socket.

In an exemplary multi-tab arrangement having a pair of positioning tabs144 per socket holder assembly, two positioning tabs 144 extend from themounting member 64 through a cooperating slot 156 in the base member 62and into the longitudinal space 158 defined between the base member 62and the bottom wall 16 of the interior channel 22.

FIGS. 9, 10D, and 11 best show a pair of positioning tabs 144 a-b whichrotate between three positions. A first engaged position 166 is definedwherein one of the pair of tabs, tab 144 a, engages at least one ridge154 of the positioning member 142 thereby preventing sliding of thesocket holder assembly. The tabs 144 a-b are rotatable to an unengagedposition 167 wherein the socket holder assembly 60 is free to slidealong the rail assembly (not seen in FIG. 9 ). The tabs 144 are furtherrotatable into a second engaged position 168, wherein the other of thepair of positioning tabs, tab 144 b, engages at least one ridge 154 ofthe positioning member 142 thereby preventing sliding of the socketholder. In an embodiment, rotational movement from the first engagedposition to the second engaged position corresponds to one-quarter turnof the mounting member 64 while movement from either the first or secondengaged positions to the unengaged position corresponds to a one-eighthturn of the mounting member.

As with the other embodiments, the positioning tabs 144 extend throughand cooperate slidingly with an arcuate slot 156 and extend further intothe space 158 defined between the base member 62 and the bottom wall 16of the interior channel 20.

In an alternative embodiment and still with reference to FIG. 10D, apositioning tab 144 can also serve as a locking tab 96 such thatrotation of the tabs 144 a-b perform both functions of moving the socketholder assembly between unlocked and locked positions and moving theassembly between engaged and unengaged positions.

Turning briefly to FIGS. 14A-B, alternate embodiments of positioningassemblies 140 are seen according aspects of the disclosure. In FIG.14A, the positioning tab 144 is defined on the mounting member 64 at therotary disk 102 and extends upwardly to vertically overlap and cooperatewith ridges 154 defined on the interior of the channel 22 at the railassembly flanges 20. Rotation of the mounting member 64 moves the tab144 into or out of engagement with the ridges 154. A single positioningtab 144 can move between engaged positions on either side of the railassembly channel 22, cooperating with ridges 154 defined on either side,as shown. In such embodiment, the socket holder assembly 60 can beplaced in a disengaged position by an eighth or a quarter turn of themounting member 64 and moved between two engaged positions by a one-halfturn of the mounting member. Alternately, two positioning tabs 144 canbe defined on the mounting member 64, positioned 90 degrees apart, suchthat the socket holder assembly 60 is held in position at two engagedpositions, one quarter turn apart. Further, two opposed positioning tabs144 can be defined on the mounting member 64, positioned 180 degreesapart, such that the socket holder assembly 60 is held simultaneously bytabs on both side of the rail assembly. The upwardly extending tabs 144can be defined on the rotary disk 102 as shown or on another surface ofthe mounting member 64.

FIG. 14B shows an alternate arrangement wherein the Positioning tabs 144are defined extending radially from the mounting member 64 to engagewith cooperating ridges 154 defined along the side walls 18 of the railassembly 12. Similarly to the arrangements described above, theexemplary radial tab 144 can move between engaged and disengagedpositions. Multiple radial tabs can be used, spaced apart by 90 degreesor opposed to one another, to provide alternate fractional turns of themounting member 64 and engagement on both side walls simultaneously.Radial tabs can be defined on the rotary disk 102, the shoulder 78 orother appropriate surface of the mounting member 64. Other arrangementswill be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Socket Holders with Mounted Clip Members

Best seen at FIG. 12 is an exemplary embodiment of a clip member 120wherein the clip member 120 is attachable to a corresponding socketholder assembly 60, shown side by side with the clip member, at themounting member 64. The clip members 120 can attach to the mounting post74 or a columnar shoulder 78, at a plurality of tabs 75, for example. Inan embodiment, each clip member is releasably attached to the mountingmember 64 of a corresponding socket holder assembly 60. The clip memberscan attach by snap-on, slide-on, tongue and groove, or friction fit, asis known in the art. Alternately, the clip and mounting members can beformed monolithically. In an embodiment of a clip member which isreleasably attached to the mounting member, the tabs 75 align withrecesses 77 defined in the aperture 128 perimeter to allow lifting ofthe clip member 120 from the mounting member 64. Note that the mountingmember 64 must be turned, here by a one-eighth turn, to align the tabs75 and recesses 77 for placement or removal of the clip member from thepost. Alternately, the clip member can employ a lip to engage acorresponding lip defined at the perimeter of the aperture 128, etc., asis known in the art.

As with the discussion of clip members above herein, each clip member120 defines a central plate 122 defining a generally planar surface 124which can be used for indicia 126, an aperture 128, and opposing legs130. Note that neither the clip flanges 132 nor the corresponding railgrooves 46 are necessary since the clip members attach to the mountingmember 64 rather than the rail assembly body 14. In an embodiment, anangled plate 134 having an angled surface 136 for indicia 138 extendsfrom a side of the central plate 122 at an angle of between 10 and 90degrees with respect to the generally planar surface of the plate. Inalternate embodiments, the clip member 120 can comprise a central plate122 with or without a single leg 130 or single angled plate 126. Clipmembers can attach to the mounting member or to the rail assembly in thevarious embodiments thereof described.

Dimensionality

Whether the clip members are attachable to the mounting posts or therail assembly, they can be provided in sets. In an embodiment, a set ofclip members is provided wherein either: each clip member has indiciadifferent from all other clip members; or two or more clip members haveidentical indicia (i.e., for the user having more than one socket of agiven size). In an embodiment, multiple sets of clip members areprovided wherein a first set of clip members has indicia indicatingvarious sizes of socket of a first type, and wherein a second set ofclip members has indicia indicating sockets of various sizes of a secondtype. Types of sockets include shallow, deep, extra deep, impact, orswivel sockets.

The clip members are, in some embodiments, interchangeable across socketholders whether the clip members attach to the rail assembly or to thesocket holders directly. Further, in some embodiments, the socketholders and/or clip members are removable from the rail assembly and canbe rearranged by a user, such as to provide an arrangement of holdersand clip members suitable to the sockets the user owns and/or thearrangement of sockets he prefers. That is, the user can remove clipmembers with indicia for sockets he does not have, add multiple clipmembers with identical indicia for multiple sockets of the same size,arrange the sockets by size then type (or vice versa), etc.

Modular Clip System

FIG. 13 is an orthogonal view of an exemplary modular socketorganization system according to an aspect of the disclosure. A modularsystem 210 is presented having a socket rail assembly 212 and aplurality of clip members 320. The rail assembly 212 includes agenerally hollow, longitudinally extending rail body 214 defining aninterior channel 222 into which sockets 5 can be positioned. Cooperatingclip members 320 slidingly engage the rail assembly body 214 and defineapertures 328 through which sockets 5 can be positioned. Briefly, therail assembly can include end caps, a back plate assembly, a magneticplate, a body 214 with bottom wall 216, side walls 218, flanges 220,angled walls 226, interior channel 222, and opposed open ends, etc.,similar to those described in relation to other embodiments above.

Briefly, the clip members 320 are generally of similar design to thosedescribed above. An exemplary clip member 320 has a central plate 322defining a generally planar surface for indicia, a pair of opposed legs330 which may also bear indicia, and an aperture 328 for engaging asocket 5. The clip members 320 can include angled plates 334 with asurface for indicia 338. The clip members 320 cooperate withcorresponding features on the rail assembly as described above. The clipmembers 320 can slide onto the body 214 or can snap-on to the railassembly 212 as described elsewhere herein.

In an embodiment, each clip member 320 further includes a socket holdingmechanism 321 such as an o-ring, gasket, split gasket, or other frictionfit device defined by or attached to the perimeter of the aperture 328for grippingly engaging a socket 5 positioned through the aperture 328.

Alternately or additionally, an embodiment includes a magnetic plate 323at or comprising the bottom wall 216 of the rail assembly formagnetically holding sockets 5 to the assembly. The magnetic surface canbe a magnetic strip attached to the rail assembly by fastener, adhesive,or otherwise as known in the art, or may form part of the rail assembly.

The apertures 328 of the plurality of clip members 320 are of varyingdiameter to accommodate and correspond to sockets of varying diameter.In a given set of sockets, there may be multiple small sockets of auniform smaller diameter and a plurality of larger diameter socketsdesigned for driving larger headed fasteners, for example. Successivelylarger sockets may be provided to allow for driving successively largerfastener sizes.

The plurality of clip members 320 provide a plurality of aperturediameters for cooperation with the sockets of various diameter. Forexample, a set of socket-holding clip members 320 are provided whereinat least one clip member 320 a defines an aperture of a first diameter328 a for accepting a socket of a coordinating diameter, at least oneclip member 320 b defines an aperture of a second diameter 328 b foraccepting a socket of a second coordinating diameter, and at least oneclip member 320 c defines an aperture of a third diameter 328 c foraccepting a socket of a third coordinating diameter.

In an embodiment, a set of clip members 320 is provided having at leastone clip member 320 of each of three or more diameter apertures 328 foraccepting sockets of at least three coordinating diameters. Further,each clip member 320 includes indicia on at least one surface thereofindicating the socket size coordinating with the clip member 320. In afurther embodiment, indicia is provided on at least a surface of thecentral plate 322 of each clip member 320 and identical indicia isprovided on at least one angled plate 326 or leg 330 of the clip member320.

Each clip member 320 defines a longitudinal length, L, measured fromopposing sides of the central plate 322. For sockets of particularlylarge diameter, clip members 320 c are provided having a relativelygreater length allowing for larger diameter apertures 328 c. In the kitsdescribed above, one or more of such greater-length clip members may beprovided.

The aperture 328 diameters, d, are measured at the perimeter of theaperture and may be nominally larger than the socket diameter for whichit is designed. Where the aperture 328 employs a socket holdingmechanism 321 such as a gasket, o-ring, or other friction-fit member,the aperture will be of greater diameter than the corresponding socketdiameter to allow for the holding mechanism 32 while accepting thesocket.

For specific examples, a typical set of sockets can comprise a number ofsockets, which may be shallow, deep, extra deep, impact, or swivelsockets, and can be designed for use in driving 6 point, 12 point,spline, hex head, etc., fasteners. The drive end of a standard socket isone-quarter inch, although drive ends may vary and are available inthree-eighths and one-half inch.

An exemplary set of sockets can be for use with ⅛ inch to ⅝ inchfasteners, in increments of thirty-seconds of an inch. A typical metricset of sockets may be for 6 mm to 15 mm fasteners by 1 mm increments. Ina given set of sockets, there may be multiple sockets having the samediameter. For example, 4 mm through 9 mm shallow sockets may all have abase diameter of 12.1 mm. Sockets for larger size fasteners will havelarger diameters. For example, a 15 mm shallow socket may have a 19.4 mmbase diameter. Further, for a single size fastener it is possible tohave sockets of differing diameters since a shallow socket may have asmaller diameter than a thick-walled impact socket. For example, a 9 mmshallow socket can have a base diameter of 12.1 mm whereas a 9 mm impactsocket can have a base diameter of 14 mm.

The clip members for use with such socket sets can vary in length andaperture diameter as needed. Depending on the set of sockets, variouscombinations or sets of clips can be employed. Further, a kit of clipscan be created by grouping together selected clip members havinglengths, aperture diameters, and/or indicia corresponding to a set ofsockets as well as a rail assembly. For example, a kit can comprise: arail assembly; a number of sockets for ⅛ inch to ⅝ inch fasteners andhaving associated base diameters ranging from 7/16 inch to 25/32 inch;and a corresponding number of clip members, marked with correspondingsize indicia, each of a length greater than the associated base diameterof the corresponding socket (e.g., by one-eighth to one-quarter inch),and each having an aperture of an effective diameter to position or holdthe corresponding socket. Herein, effective diameter is meant toencompass aperture and/or gasket diameters adequate to position or holdthe socket.

Each clip member 320 further includes a mechanism for sliding attachmentto the rail assembly 212. In FIG. 13 each clip member 320 definesopposed flanges 332 which engage corresponding grooves 246 defined inthe rail assembly 212. In an embodiment, the attachment mechanism willhold the clip member in a selected position unless a user pushes theclip member along the rail assembly. That is, the clip members will notsimply slide along the rail assembly due to tilting of the system. Forexample, the flanges 332 may grippingly engage the groove 246 byfriction fit or the flanges can define tabs which “snap” intocorresponding indentations in the groove.

Alternate sliding attachments can be used such as where the clip members320 (with or without opposed legs) define one or more attachmentmechanisms extending from a surface thereof and for cooperating withcorresponding attaching features on the rail assembly. For example, theclip members and rail assembly can define cooperating hooks, tabs andslots, tongue and groove, etc. The clip members 320 can include at leastone leg 330 in various embodiments and/or at least one angled plate. Incertain embodiments the opposed clip legs 330 or the central plate 322can slidingly cooperate with or attach to an interior surface or flangesof the interior channel 222. These and other variations of slidingattachment mechanisms will be apparent to those of skill in the art andcan be adopted or modified for use on the various socket holderassemblies presented herein.

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure are discussed in detail below, it is appreciated that thepresent disclosure provides many applicable concepts that may beembodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the disclosure. Only the claims appended hereto delimit thescope of any claimed inventions.

It is claimed:
 1. A socket organizer for releasably and adjustablyholding a plurality of socket holders, the organizer comprising: alongitudinally extending rail assembly having a body defining aninterior channel; a plurality of socket holders, each socket holderhaving a base member slidingly engaged within the interior channel ofthe rail assembly, and a rotationally movable mounting post forreleasably holding a socket; each mounting post movable between a lockedposition in which a socket is held in place on the mounting post, and anunlocked position in which the socket is released from the socketholder; and each socket holder having a locking tab extending from themounting post and engaging a cooperating slot defined in the basemember, a recess defined in the slot, wherein the locking tab ispositioned in the recess when the mounting post is in the lockedposition; and a socket holder positioning mechanism for securing socketholders at selected positions along the rail assembly, wherein thesocket holder positioning mechanism further comprises: a plurality oflaterally extending, longitudinally spaced-apart ridges extending alongthe rail assembly, and for each socket holder, at least one positioningtab extending from the socket holder base for selectively engaging theridges.
 2. The socket organizer of claim 1, wherein each positioning tabis movable between an engaged position, wherein engagement of thepositioning tab and one of the plurality of ridges prevents longitudinalmovement of the socket holder along the rail assembly, and an unengagedposition, wherein the socket holder is free to slide longitudinallyalong the rail assembly.
 3. The socket organizer of claim 1, wherein,for each socket holder, the mounting post is rotatably attached to thebase member, and wherein the at least one positioning tab extendsdownwardly from the mounting post, the at least one positioning tabextending through and slidingly engaging a cooperating slot defined bythe base member, the at least one positioning tab rotating between anengaged position, wherein engagement of one of the at least onepositioning tabs and one of the plurality of ridges preventslongitudinal movement of the socket holder along the rail assembly, andan unengaged position, wherein the socket holder is free to slidelongitudinally along the rail assembly.
 4. The socket organizer of claim3, wherein for each socket holder: the mounting post defines a pair ofpositioning tabs of the at least one positioning tabs, each of the pairof positioning tabs extending through and slidingly engaging thecooperating slot, the pair of tabs rotating between: a first engagedposition wherein one of the pair of positioning tabs engages a ridge ofthe rail assembly; an unengaged position wherein the socket holder isfree to slide longitudinally along the rail assembly; and a secondengaged position wherein the other of the pair of positioning tabsengages a ridge of the rail assembly.
 5. The socket organizer of claim4, wherein rotational movement from the first engaged position to thesecond engaged position corresponds to one-quarter turn of the mountingpost, and wherein movement from either the first or second engagedpositions to the unengaged position corresponds to a one-eighth turn ofthe mounting post.
 6. The socket organizer of claim 4, wherein a detentball is engaged by a cam surface of the mounting post for moving thedetent ball radially between a locked position in which a socket is heldin place by the detent ball, and an unlocked position in which thesocket is released from the socket holder.
 7. The socket organizer ofclaim 6, wherein the socket holder's first and second engaged positionscorrespond to, respectively, the locked and unlocked positions of thedetent ball.
 8. The socket organizer of claim 6, wherein rotation of themounting post one-quarter turn moves the detent ball between the lockedand unlocked positions.
 9. The socket organizer of claim 2, the railassembly further comprising a longitudinally extending insert memberslidingly cooperating with an insert channel defined along the railassembly, and wherein the plurality of ridges are defined on the insertmember.
 10. The socket organizer of claim 1, further comprising amagnetic plate secured to the rail assembly for mounting the railassembly on a ferrous surface.
 11. The socket organizer of claim 1,wherein the rail assembly further comprises: an alignment mechanismwhich cooperates with corresponding alignment features defined on thebase member of each socket holder, the alignment mechanism preventinginsertion of the socket holder into an open end of the interior channelof the rail assembly unless the alignment feature and the alignmentmechanism are cooperatively aligned.
 12. The socket organizer of claim11, wherein the alignment mechanism further comprises a shaped surfaceon a side or bottom wall of the rail assembly and wherein the aligningfeature comprises a cooperating shaped surface on the base member.
 13. Asocket organizer for releasably and adjustably holding a plurality ofsocket holders, the organizer comprising: a longitudinally extendingrail assembly having a body defining an interior channel; a plurality ofsocket holders, each socket holder having a base member slidinglyengaged with the interior channel of the rail assembly, and a mountingpost for releasably holding a socket; each mounting post rotationallymovable between a locked position in which a socket is held in place onthe mounting post, and an unlocked position in which the socket isreleased from the socket holder; and each socket holder having a lockingtab engaging a cooperating slot, a recess defined in the slot, andwherein the locking tab is positioned in the recess when the socketholder is in the locked position; a socket holder positioning mechanismfor securing socket holders at selected positions along the railassembly, wherein the socket holder positioning mechanism furthercomprises: a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart ridges extendingfrom the rail assembly, and for each socket holder, at least onepositioning tab selectively movable into an engaged position in whichthe positioning tab engages at least one of the ridges.
 14. The socketorganizer of claim 13, wherein when the positioning tab is in theengaged position, the locking tab is in the locked position.
 15. Thesocket organizer of claim 13, wherein the positioning tab extendsdownwardly and the plurality of cooperating ridges extend upwardly intothe interior channel.
 16. A socket organizer for releasably andadjustably holding a plurality of socket holders, the organizercomprising: a longitudinally extending rail assembly having a bodydefining an interior channel; a plurality of socket holders, each socketholder having a base member slidingly engaged within the interiorchannel of the rail assembly, and a mounting post for releasably holdinga socket; each mounting post rotationally movable between a lockedposition in which a socket is held in place on the mounting post, and anunlocked position in which the socket is released from the socketholder; and wherein the rail assembly further comprises an alignmentmechanism which cooperates with a corresponding alignment featuredefined on the base member of each socket holder, the alignmentmechanism and alignment feature cooperating to prevent: insertion of thesocket holder into an open end of the interior channel of the railassembly unless the alignment feature and the alignment mechanism arecooperatively aligned; and rotation of the base member once positionedon the rail assembly.
 17. The socket organizer of claim 16, wherein thealignment mechanism further comprises a shaped surface on a side orbottom wall of the rail assembly and wherein the aligning featurecomprises a cooperating shaped surface on the base member.